52 Ancestors #12: John Parrish

I have to admit something to you. Today’s blog post is more of an “It’s about time!” entry. As in…”It’s about time that I could introduce you to a member of the PARRISH family!” The Parrish family holds a special place in my heart, even if the research has hit a brick wall (for now).

John Parrish, my 3rd great-grandfather, was born on 21 February 1791 in Ohio County, Virginia (before it became West Virginia). This is what I’ve been told by my cousin who has spent YEARS, her entire adult life actually, researching the Parrish family. But – like me -she hit the same brick wall a long time ago with those Virginia/West Virginia records.

There is a rumor that John served as an officer in the War of 1812 under General Hull. Rumors…lots of rumors, and zero evidence to show even the slightest grain of truth to these rumors. My brick wall just continues to be built…brick by brick.

On 4 August 1814, John Parrish married Sarah Brown in Hanover Twp., Licking County, Ohio, and the young couple remained there as their family quickly grew with the birth of three children by the time they appeared in the 1820 census.

1830 finds our Parrish family living in Scott Twp., Marion County, Ohio. Their family was still growing – 7 children now accounted for. Sadly, by this time, they had also mourned the loss of a son and a daughter, both of whom died as infants.

A short time later, the family “picked up stakes” and moved to Putnam County, Ohio. John and his family are showing in multiple references as being considered one of the early settlers in the county, residents in Pleasant Township. On 16 March 1837, John Parrish was granted 160 acres of land there. 160 acres that he would farm with his family for the remainder of his days….1840….1850….1860….

Decades of a life lived in Putnam County, and 12 children (10 who lived to adulthood). His 2nd son, Joseph, died on the 23rd of August, 1867 from Typhoid Fever and it was just one week later when the family’s grief would continue at the death of the head of their family, also from The Fever. John Parrish would pass away on 1 September 1867.